Talk Morgan Forums Community The Malvern Arms Life without a Morgan

I just love the kirkstone pass. I did it early this year in our Atom, not that much fun with rock hard suspention tho

On a quiet midweek day Wrynose and Hardknott are favourites

We're off again...

Looking forward to doing that one Jays & Graham. Doesn't look like the hood has been down much on the 'new one' but will soon rectify that. My best ever trip with hood down was in a Midget from the Kyle of Lockalsh to Swansea after a wet week of camping. Rain most of the way so I'm with Graham on that one.

I used to find that when I changed Morgans they were all eight years old at point of change and each was was noticeably different. Graham, when you get a minute would you briefly describe the difference in feel because I suspect that even though my car is much improved, a newer one would feel different in a progressive manner.

Nearly 4,000 km and we only put the hood up when parked in a few places for a little extra security and for about 30 minutes when we encountered heavy rain on that parking lot known as the M25.

On the last night on the way home we encountered light rain between the Zurich and Bellinzona in Switzerland we left the hood down but it was not really pleasant driving even though no rain was coming in. We took the San Bernardino tunnel and encountered quite a few heavy vehicles. The glare of oncoming headlights on the wet screen was difficult to cope with.

It would be a spectacular road in daylight.

PS. Speaking of spectacular roads we tried the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse in the Black Forest. Not to be missed if driving in that part of the world.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Schwarzwaldhochstra%C3%9Fe

Hmm,
Well - this is my third Mog and second 4/4. The T16 +4 came and went during my tenure of the first 4/4. Great car the '98 +4 but wouldn't fit down the driveway and not fair on the car to keep it out front.

So - difference between 37 yo 4/4 and a 20 yo 4/4? Engine slightly larger - 1.8 twin cam over a 1.6 pushrod x-flow - lots more torque, much more driveable in today's traffic conditions. 5 speed box - good for cruising on faster roads (motorways / dual carriageways), but a slower change than the old 4 speed. Newer model steering box - lighter steering. Suspension better (but I suspect the rear springs on the '76 were sagging / softer by a bit!).
The newer 4/4 just feels completely different. But I'm still learning a 'new' car!

Thanks for that Graham. Sometimes the changes feel slight. I too felt that the gear shift was slower when I changed a kent engine for a cvh and the plus four Rover combo is definitely chunkier. I suspect a new plus four feels different again.

I understand the latest Ford gearboxes in the Duratec +4 are quite slick, but I've not been able to try my pal's car yet. Maybe I should test drive a 'newish' +4 at Williams on Saturday.
I know the old Rover LT77 / R380s are slow - having used both in Land Rover products (and still have LT77 in the 90).

Cheers,